In short: the dark academia palette is deep, warm and a little faded. The main colors are forest green, oxblood, tobacco brown, navy and charcoal. They sit against parchment and cream, with brass or gold as the metal. Everything should feel slightly aged, as if the color has been on the wall for a long time.
The palette
These are screen colors for planning a room, a mood board or a design project. Paint looks different on a wall, so use them as a starting point and sample real paint before you commit.
- Library green #2F3E2E: the classic dark academia wall color.
- Oxblood #4A1F1F: deep red-brown, like old leather bindings.
- Tobacco #5A3E2B: warm mid-brown, like wood paneling.
- Ink navy #1F2A3A: a dark, slightly gray blue.
- Charcoal #2B2A28: a warm near-black.
- Parchment #E8DCC4: aged cream for trim, ceilings and paper.
- Old brass #A67C3D: for metal, frames and accents.
Paint colors worth sampling
These widely available colors are popular for the look. Paint makers sometimes update their collections, so confirm the name and number at the store and always test a sample on your own wall.
- Greens: Sherwin-Williams Pewter Green (SW 6208), Rookwood Dark Green (SW 2816) and Roycroft Bottle Green (SW 2847). Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green (HC-157) and Tarrytown Green (HC-134).
- Browns and bronzes: Sherwin-Williams Urbane Bronze (SW 7048) and Sealskin (SW 7675).
- Reds: Benjamin Moore Caliente (AF-290) for a brighter red. For true oxblood, look at the darkest burgundies on any brand's card.
- Blues: Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (HC-154) and Sherwin-Williams Naval (SW 6244).
- Near-blacks: Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black (SW 6258), Caviar (SW 6990) and Iron Ore (SW 7069).
How to choose the right dark color
Check the undertone. Dark academia needs warm or neutral undertones. A green with a yellow or brown cast looks old and rich, while a green with a blue cast can look cold. Put the sample next to something warm, like wood or a leather book, and see which one looks right.
Look at the light in the room. North-facing rooms get cooler light, which pulls colors toward gray and blue, so lean warmer there. South-facing rooms get warm light and can handle cooler navies and greens.
Test at night. Dark rooms are mostly used in the evening. Look at your samples under your own lamps, not only in daylight.
How to use dark colors well
- Color drenching: painting walls, trim and even the ceiling the same dark color makes a room feel wrapped and finished rather than chopped up.
- Use a matte or eggshell finish on walls. Dark gloss paint shows every flaw in the wall. Satin or semi-gloss on trim and cabinet doors adds a quiet sheen.
- Balance with parchment and wood. Cream lampshades, old paper, warm wood and brass keep a dark room from feeling heavy.
- Plan the lighting with the paint. A dark room needs several warm lamps. We cover this in how to make a room feel cozy.
If you can't paint
Bring the palette in through textiles and objects: dark velvet curtains, a burgundy or green rug, leather, a dark throw, deep-colored book spines and framed prints in dark wood. In a rental, removable wallpaper in a dark damask or a small botanical pattern is another option.
Matching scent to the palette
Colors and scents work together. The greens and browns of this palette pair naturally with woody, leathery and resinous smells such as cedarwood, leather and tonka. Our Arcane Library and Dark Mister Darcy candles were made for rooms like this.
For the rest of the look, see our full dark academia decor guide, or the basics in how to choose a color palette for your home.
Common questions
What is the most dark academia color? A deep, slightly brown forest green is the most common choice, followed by oxblood and brown.
Is black dark academia? It can be, especially warm blacks on trim, bookcases or a single wall. A whole black room tends to read more gothic than academic.
What colors go with dark green? Cream, tobacco brown, burgundy, brass and warm wood.